The Uneven Path 2020

Economic insecurity is at the root cause of many problems women and girls face in Rhode Island. Work support programs such as subsidized child care, when well-funded, provide vital support for families not earning adequate income. In the 2020 Uneven Path, we review the status of these programs and provide information about two professions in which women comprise the majority …

Rhode Island’s Workforce Development System for Adults An Overview

Workforce development is a necessity for both employees and businesses. For an individual, it means raising the income for their family. For a business, it means staying competitive. For the government, it grows or enhances economic development. The Economic Progress Institute’s latest report “Rhode Island’s Workforce Development System for Adults: An Overview,” explains the key players involved in developing policy …

Rhode Island Women of Color 2018

On January 2, the Institute co-released its latest infographic Rhode Island Women of Color 2018: A Snapshot with the Women’s Fund of Rhode Island. Rhode Island women of color experience significant barriers to opportunity with respect to wages, education, and affordable housing. DOWNLOAD THE INFOGRAPHICENGLISH / SPANISH

Race, Ethnicity, and Jobs in Rhode Island

Communities & Banking, Winter 2017 Doug Hall, Economic Progress Institute Rhode Island’s minority workers were hit harder by the Great Recession than their white counterparts and historically have experienced higher rates of unemployment and lower median wages.   READ THE REPORT *Disclaimer: This Communities & Banking article is copyrighted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. The views expressed are …

The Status of Working Women in Rhode Island 2017

This report examines the status of women in Rhode Island’s economy, documenting the economic challenges women continue to face and the ongoing disparities between women and men in terms of wages, earnings and poverty rates.  The report was done in partnership with The Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, representing data collected in 2015 and 2016. READ THE REPORT READ THE …

The State of Working Rhode Island 2015: Workers of Color

Although Rhode Island’s overall economy continues to slowly but steadily recover from the Great Recession, workers of color—particularly Rhode Island’s Latino community— continue to bear the brunt of a vulnerable economy. Some of these economic hardships reflect the lingering effects of the Great Recession – a recession that has left the state with over ten thousand fewer jobs today than …

Making Child Care Affordable for More Rhode Island Families

A majority of young Rhode Island children and their families need affordable, quality child care. Almost three-quarters of children under age six have their parent(s) working, meaning that these children spend some time in child care. Parents rely on child care so they can work and at the same time provide the early education experiences that can better prepare their children for school. …

Policy Outcomes 2014

The Institute informed and influenced the debate on a host of policy issues related to affordable child care, workforce development, and tax policy. This brief summary highlights several policy changes that will have an impact on the fiscal health of Rhode Island and its residents. Child care expansions extended Two important expansions made to the Child Care Assistance Program last …

Work in Progress: Latinos in the RI Workforce

As the fastest growing ethnic group in Rhode Island, Latinos will play a more prominent role in the future of the state’s workforce and economic growth, according to an infographic released  by the Latino Policy Institute (LPI) at Roger Williams University and The Economic Progress Institute. While the working age Latino population, defined as ages 16 to 64, is expected …

Raising the minimum wage to $10.10: A win-win for Rhode Island workers and the economy

Raising the minimum wage will improve the economic well-being of Rhode Islanders and strengthen the state’s economy.  Giving the lowest paid workers a raise will improve their economic security and help curb the growth in income inequality, which has been significant in the Ocean State over the past three decades.  Putting more money in the pockets of workers will also put more …